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Steve Petty Photo
LANCASTER, N.Y. (May 6, 2023) – The 64th season of stock car racing at Lancaster Motorplex kicked off Saturday afternoon under beautiful racing conditions. Jake Lutz from Hamburg, NY picked up his first career Lancaster victory in the Monroe Extinguisher Sportsman. Eldon King III from Freedom, NY won the Late Model feature event. Jacob Gustafson from Webster, NY won the Street Stock main event. Dave Schulz from Somerset, NY won the Mighty TQ Midget feature. Andy Danielwicz from Wilson, NY won the 4 Cylinder feature.
John Barber and Jake Lutz were on the front row for the Monroe Extinguisher Sportsman feature with Lutz taking off into the lead ahead of George Skora III, Shawn Nye, Barber, and Tony Carbone. The lead duo of Lutz and Skora would pull away from the balance of the field. The caution would come out on lap 21 as Tony Carbone spun in turn three. The restart would see the top trio of Lutz, Skora, and Nye all battle for the lead, with Lutz in the lead, ahead of Skora, Nye, and Tom MacLeod. Lutz would take off ahead of Skora and Nye late in the contest, with Skora challenging Lutz for the lead. Jake Lutz would hold off Skora and Nye to score his first career Lancaster victory. In victory lane, Lutz dedicated the win to fallen racer Kyle Inman, who passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.
Bobby Weber and Eldon King set the pace for the Late Model feature event, with King taking the lead, and quickly pulling away from the field. A multi-car tangle occurred in turn two, taking out Dave Whittaker, Joe Mancuso, Dave Heitzhaus, and Chris Durbin. On the restart, King would pull away from the field as Dave Russell raced in second. Once the field got under green flag conditions, King would pull away from the field to score the win.
Frank Batista and Kyle Schosek were on the front row for the Street Stock feature, with Batista leading John Carlson, Jacob Gustafson, Schosek, and David Brunka. Carlson would take the lead away on lap two, with Gustafson running in second. Gustafson would apply the pressure to Carlson for the lead, as the top two pulled away from the balance of the 26-car starting field. Tim Welshans challenged Batista for third on lap ten, just as the first caution came out for Jay Canonico, who spun in turn three. Gustafson would take the lead away from Carlson on the restart, with Welshans taking over second. Gustafson and Carlson would battle for the lead for several laps, with each taking turns at the front of the field. Gustafson would reclaim the lead with five laps remaining, with Welshans regaining second. Gustafson would hold on to score the win.
Andy Danielwicz and Russ Bulger Jr were on the front row for the 4 Cylinder feature, with Danielwicz getting the early race lead. Danielwicz and Bulger would pull away from the field, as Hunter McKay, John Byrd, and Mason Offhaus raced inside the top five. Chris Deyoe Jr worked his way into the top five at the halfway mark and would close in on the third-place car of McKay and would move into third with five laps remaining. Danielwicz held off Bulger and Deyoe to score the win.
Dave and Brian Schulz brought the Mighty TQ Midgets to the green flag for their 20-lap event, with Dave Schulz in the lead. Paul Jorgensen would bring out the caution on lap one. Schulz would lead on the restart ahead of brother Mark, with youngest brother Brian in third, followed by Dave Wollaber and Kyle Hutchinson. Dave Wollaber would race his way to second and would go after race leader Dave Schulz at the halfway point. Schulz held off Wollaber for his first career win at Lancaster. The second-generation driver from Somerset joins his father Gene and brother Mark with wins at Lancaster.
Racing action continues at Lancaster next Saturday, May 13 as the New York Super Stock Series will make its first tour stop of the season. The Monroe Extinguisher Sportsman, Street Stocks, and 4 Cylinders will be on the card. Also, on tap will be the King Wolf Productions Big Wheels! Kids aged 3-12 can sign up at the picnic tables in the main concourse when gates open and race during intermission. Racing will begin at 2:00pm with grandstands opening at 12 noon.
For more information, follow Lancaster Motorplex on social media and for the complete 2023 schedules, visit the website at www.lancastermotorplexny.com
RACE RESULTS – 64th OPENING DAY
Monroe Extinguisher Sportsman: JAKE LUTZ, George Skora III, Shawn Nye, Tom MacLeod, John Barber, Chase Williams, Andrew Nye, Jake Vernon, Tony Carbone, Tim Garlock, Jeff Szafraniec, Cameron Ruggiero, Rich Littlefield, Chris Pennell
Qualifying Heats: Jake Lutz, Shawn Nye
Late Models: ELDON KING III, Dave Russell, Sam Fullone, Bobby Weber, Jesse Kirchmeyer, Chris Durbin, Rick Giannino, Ron Richter, Dave Whittaker, Joe Mancuso, Dave Heitzhaus
Qualifying Heats: Bobby Weber, Dave Russell
Street Stocks: JACOB GUSTAFSON, Tim Welshans, Mark Hoch, Chris Powers, John Carlson, TJ Cochrane, Nik Welshans, Dave Wilson, Frank Batista Jr, Dan Dressel, Dustin Novoa, David Johnson, Dylan Carbone, Jason Anasiewicz, Frank Prell, David Brunka, Garret Cleversley, Mike Rogers, Chris Barber, Mitch Friend, Kyle Schosek, Tommy Wentland, Jay Canonico, Lou Carbone, Bob Palmer, Casey Pew
Did Not Start: Bobby Blaszak
Qualifying Heats: John Carlson, Jacob Gustafson, Lou Carbone
4 Cylinders: ANDY DANIELWICZ, Russ Bulger Jr, Chris Deyoe Jr, Hunter McKay, Wyatt Hannon, Mason Offhaus, John Byrd, Tim Durfy, Eric Szychowski, Connor Kurdziel, Ashton Hannon
Qualifying Heats: Russ Bulger Jr, Mason Offhaus
Mighty TQ Midgets: DAVE SCHULZ, Dave Wollaber, Kyle Hutchinson, Erik Musto, Brian Schulz, Nick Groff, Owen Bednasz, Ronnie Flaim, Cory Grenzy, Kevin Wilson, Carl Schroeder, Paul Jorgensen, Mark Schulz, Vinnie Christiano Jr, Brendan Wallace
Did Not Start: Tony Petrea, Chad Haywood, Andy Nye
Qualifying Heats: Kyle Hutchinson, Dave Wollaber
